There is a possibility that Amazon will have to acknowledge a trade union in the UK for the first time in the near future.

According to the GMB union, the majority of workers at Amazon's Coventry warehouse have joined the union, making them eligible for legal recognition. The union has requested recognition from Amazon through a formal letter. In response, Amazon states that it values its employees' right to choose whether to join a labor union or not.

The GMB is confident that it is close to achieving a significant triumph after a ten-year effort. If successful, Amazon will be required to engage in discussions with its employees regarding their salary, vacation time, and sick pay. Senior GMB organizer Amanda Gearing informed the BBC's Radio 4 Today program that establishing a union is a complex process that is not always easy.

Amanda Gearing stated that despite the obstacles in place to hinder the formation of the GMB union, they have achieved the required number of members. However, she suspects that Amazon may attempt to introduce more employees to the warehouse to alter the numbers. Amazon has until 10 days to reply to the union's request for recognition. The company added that it frequently assesses employee compensation and that the starting wage ranges between £11 and £12 per hour.

Amazon declared, "Our minimum wage has increased by 10% in the past seven months and has risen over 37% since 2018." The GMB union approximates that the Amazon distribution center in Coventry employs 1,300 individuals. The majority, almost 700 employees, have joined the union, according to the union, meeting the criteria for legal recognition. Darren Westwood, a warehouse employee who has been instrumental in persuading others to join the union, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential recognition as "fantastic."

According to him, "It's incredibly thrilling because we have challenged and emerged victorious against one of the largest corporations in the world."

Lack of humaneness

In the event that Amazon refuses to acknowledge the union, the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC) may be requested to intervene in resolving the recognition dispute. If the CAC is convinced that the majority of the workforce desires the union to represent them, it could grant recognition automatically, and the workforce may be required to conduct a vote to demonstrate their support.

Initially, only 30 of the Coventry warehouse workers were members of the GMB union when they started protesting about their wages last August. In January, they held the first Amazon strike in the UK. Following that, the company increased its minimum starting wage, which now ranges from £11 to £12 per hour, depending on the location. However, the union is demanding an hourly wage of £15. The dispute extends beyond money as per Mr. Westwood, who believes that a union is required since it feels as if the management lacks empathy or humanity.

According to him, being a part of a union is about having someone to rely on and receive support from. It is about having a sense of security and protection readily available.